Exciting News: Texas Tech Health El Paso and UTEP Launch Third MedFuture Cohort for Future Healthcare Leaders

EL PASO, Texas – On June 9, Texas Tech Health El Paso and The University of Texas at El Paso welcomed their third group of students into MedFuture. This program helps talented high school seniors from West Texas get into college and medical school right in El Paso.

MedFuture supports students interested in medicine who wish to serve the Borderplex community. A committee from UTEP and Texas Tech Health El Paso selected six outstanding seniors for the program. These students will attend UTEP and receive conditional acceptance to Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Foster School of Medicine after completing their undergraduate degrees.

“Each year, this program opens doors for local students passionate about medicine,” said Richard Lange, M.D., M.B.A., president of Texas Tech Health El Paso. “Investing in local talent strengthens our region’s healthcare future and addresses the rising demand for doctors in El Paso and beyond.”

Here’s the third MedFuture cohort:
• Siena Cameron – Montwood High School
• Maria Garcia – Clint Early College Academy
• Jovanna Gomez – Clint Early College Academy
• Mia Gomez – Pebble Hills High School
• Melania Joy Martinez – Loretto Academy
• LeeAnn Morales – El Dorado High School

Jovanna Gomez, who graduated from Clint Early College Academy, brings a strong passion for healthcare. She has spent three years volunteering at the University Medical Center of El Paso. Her experiences there helped her realize her commitment to medicine.

“I once had a staff member tell me I belonged there. That made me realize this is my future,” Gomez shared. Her motivation is personal; she lost her grandfather to a heart attack and felt a calling to help others heal.

“I want to be the person who supports someone in their healing journey,” she said. Already a college junior through her early college program, Gomez hopes to become an OB-GYN. This summer, she will join a selective internship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of only twelve high school students in the U.S. to be chosen.

This experience will give her hands-on skills in diagnostic tools crucial for women’s health. “I’ll learn how imaging aids in patient care, which will benefit my future in medicine,” she said.

MedFuture students at UTEP receive support like participation in the UTEP PREP summer program, laying a solid academic foundation. This collaboration is unique to West Texas and aims to create pathways for local students to achieve high-income careers in healthcare.

The first MedFuture cohort has also made strides, engaging with other students about their journey and participating in community outreach. Two members gained entry into the Texas Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP), ensuring a spot in a Texas medical school. Others are stepping into roles that will prepare them for careers in family medicine.

The second cohort is now entering their next phase, participating in research internships. One member has also been admitted to JAMP, following in the footsteps of their predecessors.

Texas Tech Health El Paso focuses on educating future healthcare professionals for the West Texas region. It has graduated over 2,600 professionals in the past decade and continues to grow, adding a dental school in 2025. For more details, visit Texas Tech Health El Paso’s website.

UTEP Health aims to improve healthcare standards in the Paso del Norte region with over 4,400 students in various health disciplines. With nearly $67 million for research, UTEP Health tackles important issues unique to the border area, showcasing a commitment to excellence in education and community service.

As these programs evolve, their impact on local healthcare continues to grow, providing solutions to pressing health issues while nurturing the next generation of medical professionals.

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